The long-time Labor MP led his family’s recorded eulogies on Monday as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined hundreds of mourners to farewell Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon at an overflowing church in the NSW Hunter region.

The special forces signaller, 33, died on March 7 after a parachuting accident at RAAF Base Richmond, about 50km north of Sydney.

His superiors in the past fortnight had remarked the commando was a “gold-standard sig” and someone every platoon wanted, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Joel Fitzgibbon with family and friends at his son’s funeral
Joel Fitzgibbon and his family have bid a heartbreaking farewell to his soldier son. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)
Cpl Fitzgibbon also deeply loved his family, his father said.

“We are in no doubt about that,” the retired Labor MP said, breaking down in tears.

“This is why I’m not doing this live.”

As rain fell over St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cessnock, Di Fitzgibbon told mourners how she cherished her son’s similar sense of humour.

“…although his jokes often went a bit too far, especially when his main objective was to push the sisters’ buttons,” she said.

Cpl Fitzgibbon’s commanding officer in the 2nd Commando Regiment described “Fitzy” as a highly competent, modest soldier with an infectious sense of humour and a dislike of fuss.

“Looking around this church and around the Cessnock community, I envisage Jack would cringe at the attention and the ceremony surrounding today,” the lieutenant colonel said.

The Last Post played in the church before Cpl Fitzgibbon’s casket made its way to a gun carriage to the sound of a three-gun salute.

Among the mourners were colleagues who tried to save the young corporal and a host of federal MPs who served alongside his father.

The casket of Jack Fitzgibbon is carried on a gun carriage
The Last Post played as Jack Fitzgibbon’s casket left the church. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)
Mr Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles were seen embracing their former colleague after he farewelled his son’s casket, while the other side of politics was represented by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Michael McCormack, Andrew Hastie and Barnaby Joyce.

Mr Fitzgibbon’s successor Dan Repicholi also paid his respects, alongside NSW Labor ministers Courtney Houssos, Jenny Aitchison and Yasmin Catley.

Cpl Fitzgibbon who served a decade in the army, died a day after what the Australian Defence Force described as a routine Special Forces training activity.

He left behind partner Kass, with whom he had been preparing to get engaged and have a baby.